ECL Believes in Giving Back
It's hard to believe it all started with a small piece of paper in a suggestion box …
It all began with an ECL staff person who had the idea that it might be fun to go for a ride on the back of a Harley-Davidson belonging to ECL Chairman Tom Fredericks. She came up with the idea of auctioning rides to staff at lunchtime, with the proceeds going to charity.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Almost 12 years and more than $2 million dollars later - ECL's Choppers for Charity has become a signature event for ECL, the Alberta Children's Hospital and the Edmonton Stollery Children's Hospital, as well as staff members, family, friends, and bikers across Alberta.
Once Fredericks took a serious look at the suggestion, he formed a committee and expanded the initiative to include bake sales, raffles and draws; all to raise money for the Alberta Children's Hospital.
“We also had about 12 Harley riders who auctioned off rides to go drop off the cheque at the hospital,” says Fredericks. “We thought we could raise about $5,000 that first year.”
The ECL team not only reached its goal but doubled it, raising more than $10,000 for the Alberta Children's Hospital.
“It was so gratifying,” says Fredericks. “When those 12 Harleys roared up to the hospital and the kids were out there waiting for us - one was even in a bed - it was great to see them be kids again for an hour and forget why they were there.”
With one year under its belt, the ECL Choppers for Charity committee set its sights a little higher and aimed to raise $15,000 the second year. They raised $27,000. “So we set the next goal at $50,000,” says Fredericks. “The committee thought we'd never do it. But we raised $60,000. I think it really showed individuals the importance of stretching their goals.”
The following year, they raised $125,000 and upward and onward until last year's event which raised $225,000 and broke the $1 million mark for total funds donated. The team uses various fundraising methods to reach their goal; from the original bake sale, to head shaving and the much anticipated auction of a brand new Harley- Davidson every year. As well, there are now dozens of bikers from across the province rolling up to the Children's Hospital cheque in hand, every year - rain or shine.
ECL Choppers for Charity has become much more than a fund-raising venture. It elicits a great deal of pride in our people to be a part of something like this and has become very much a part of who we are.
ECL Choppers for Charity involves ECL employees, suppliers, customers, family members and friends from across Alberta creating a community of people working together towards a common goal. The monies raised go to fund what the hospitals need at the time. Over the years, reconstruction equipment for plastic surgery, specialized cribs, surgical tables, educational initiatives, infant monitors and many other items have been purchased. The gifts are crucial to providing the best care for sick kids throughout Alberta.
Each year, the “champion child” from the hospital speaks at ride day. They talk about their life’s journey and what they've been through. The poise of these young kids is inspiring to all of us and it is when we really feel the difference we can – and have- made in the lives of these children.